Red Cross looking for heroic community members

Santa Rosa, CA ?- Two teenagers saved a man's life while traveling overseas; a doctor traveled to Nepal to perform life-changing cataract surgeries; a father saved a woman's life and honored his son's legacy: these heroic community members were among those honored by American Red Cross at last year's Real Heroes Breakfast. Now the American Red Cross, serving the people of Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma Counties, is seeking new heroes to honor at the 10th annual breakfast on Thursday, April 18, from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m. The breakfast benefits the local Red Cross chapter and supports essential Red Cross services. It will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park.

The Red Cross wants to know about anyone in Mendocino, Lake or Sonoma Counties who has shown an extraordinary gift for human compassion since Jan. 1, 2012. Nomination forms, which must be received by Feb. 8, are available on www.redcross.org/MendocinoCounty or from the Red Cross by calling (707) 577-7627.

Companies interested in sponsorship are encouraged to contact Ashley Fehrmann, Chief Development Officer for the Red Cross, at (707) 577-7627 or Ashley.Fehrmann@redcross.org.

There are 10 categories of nominations: Animal, Education, Environment, Heroic Deed, Humanitarian Youth, Humanitarian Adult, Law Enforcement, Medical, Military and Professional Rescue.?

The Real Heroes Selection Committee, comprised of community leaders, will review nominations.

Heroic acts must be ongoing or have occurred between January 1, 2012 and February 8, 2013. Heroes for all categories must live in, or heroic acts must have taken place in, Mendocino, Lake or Sonoma Counties.

To find out about becoming a sponsor, attending the event, or donating to support the Red Cross and the breakfast, interested parties can visit www.redcross.org/MendocinoCounty, or call (707) 577-7627.

American Red Cross is a neutral, humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters, and prepares people to prevent and respond to emergencies. Our chapter, like all Red Cross chapters, is self-sustaining and receives no funding from the national organization. All disaster assistance provided by the Chapter is free and is made possible by voluntary donations of time and money by the people of Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.org, via mail to 5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, or by phone at 707-577-7600.